An Assessment of Project Based Learning (PBL) Environment Based on the Perceptions of Students: A Short Course Case Study on Circuit Design for VLSI

Abstract

Project based learning has drawn attention as a considerably popular approach especially in engineering education. According to many researchers and academics, it gives profoundly beneficial results for engineering education as a result of the features it incorporates. Success of any application is closely related with how the application is perceived. This study assesses a Project Based Learning (PBL) environment designed as a short course based on student perceptions. The study was dealt with as a qualitative research methodology and designed as a case study. Data gathered as a result of the study was dissolved with descriptive analysis. As a result of the study it was determined that students believe that this approach has provided benefits for them in the issues of bringing in responsibility, increasing their motivation, learning deeply, learning by doing ( experiencing), applying theoretical knowledge in practice, improving their problem solving skills, seeing real-world problems, being informed about their own learning styles, improving the feeling of self-confidence, performing time and project management effectively.